Smooth is definitely the word! Welcome back!

I agree it would have been good to be told that it's available on the old link. That said, I know they're busy pumping out FPGA updates across their product line and dealing with people like me complaining my DAC has lost it's warmth! :) :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes:

OK. I have rolled back my ARES II to the original firmware. My goodness. I have my old DAC back! I listened to about 13 tracks before rolling it back and made extensive notes of vocal passages and instrument sounds. I have to admit, some of the things I was hearing, I heard on both versions...

I thought the female vocals thing was just me! Completely agree. There’s a lot to love about the new firmware, but I’m still not convinced. I’m waiting for my download link to roll it back and do a real comparison.

I’ve found it sounds really good with speakers. But there’s still too much detail in my headphones. I’m going to give it some more time. As one of the other posters said, it may take some time for the brain and ears to adjust. There are definitely some improvements here. But it is always...

Completely agree with your assessment re “essy”. Things are a lot shinier, which is good on certain tracks and not so on others.

Interesting, Chodi! My Grado headphones (my only headphones) are generally quite neutral and my integrated amp is a tube amp which can beautiful and warm when I play vinyl through it (using a solid state phono amp). The Ares II was also warm before the firmware upgrade, which is the only thing...

Unfortunately I don’t have that option with my source. I’m using optical at the moment. If I change my source, I’ll definitely give this a go.

Yes, absolutely. This now sounds like a different DAC. I use headphones primarily. It has improved sound staging and imaging, with thumpier bass and I’m hearing more than before. Kudos to the team for these sonic improvements. But, but female vocals and high frequencies generally come off...